Westminster men's basketball team remains undefeated at home after beating CSU-Pueblo

Westminster College's Jarred Laws (center) holds the ball against a CSU-Pueblo defender at home on Friday, Dec. 8.

SALT LAKE CITY — Westminster College men’s basketball got back to winning Friday night, beating CSU-Pueblo 81-70 at home. The Griffins are 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. They are unbeaten in five games at home this season.

The home team started the game with a 14-to-5 run and a nine-point lead eight minutes into the first half. Pueblo went on a 9-to-0 run over the next four minutes to tie the game, 14-14. Pueblo took the lead for the next four minutes. A layup by Dayon Goodman started a nine-point run to end the half with a seven-point lead, 28-21.

The Griffins shot 38.5 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from the 3-point arc and 50 percent from the free-throw line in the first half.

The Griffins shot better in the second half and were able to build on their lead. The Griffins led by 13 points five times and had their largest lead, 14 points, with 21 seconds remaining. A late 3-pointer by Pueblo cut the lead down to 11, ending the game at 81-70.

The Griffins finished the game shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 85.3 percent on 34 free-throw attempts.

Goodman scored 32 points, marking the sixth game of the season he has scored at least 30 points. He went to the free-throw line 16 times, missing only once. Sam Orchard scored 17 points for the Griffins and pulled down seven rebounds. Tanner Newbold scored 10 points.

The Griffins outrebounded the ThunderWolves 40 to 27. Goodman had a double-double, leading the team with 11 rebounds. Orchard pulled down seven rebounds and Jarred Laws collected five.

The Griffins will defend their undefeated home record Saturday against New Mexico Highlands at the Behnken Field House. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online and at the door before the game. The game will be broadcast on the RMAC Network. Live stats will be available online.

Eric Stephens is the director of athletic communications and events for Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Westminster is a provisional member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division II level.